"In our Catholic parishes, schools, charities, hospitals and other ministries, the poor, the underemployed and the unemployed are not issues, but people with names and faces. It is an essential part of our work as Catholics to build a more just society and economy. We feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, educate the young, welcome refugees and care for the sick and vulnerable. The Church serves and stands in solidarity with those who are poor and jobless, helping them break the cycle of poverty and act on behalf of their own families and communities."
"I hope we can use our opportunities as pastors, teachers, and leaders to focus public attention and priority on the scandal of so much poverty and so many without work in our society. In order to assist you in these ongoing efforts, the Administrative Committee has asked the bishops' conference to provide you, diocesan staffs and other leaders with resources and materials for preaching, educating the faithful and advocating on behalf of the poor and jobless..."
Archbishop Timothy Dolan, September 15, 2011
Letter to Bishops on Economic Situation
Preach
The following prayers, homilies and bulletin articles were developed in collaboration with Fr. Michael Seavey, a priest of the Diocese of Portland ME, as practical guidance for clergy and parish leaders to inspire messages of hope, reconciliation and concern for others during the Lenten Season.
Prayers
Homilies
- Scrutiny Homilies Cycle A
- 3rd Week of Lent Cycle B
- 4th Week of Lent Cycle B
- 5th Week of Lent Cycle B
Bulletin Inserts
Educate
Tools for Educating and Advocating on Poverty and Unemployment
Poverty USA (An Initiative of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development) - Also, Like Us on Facebook!
Statements and Primers
- A Catholic Framework for Economic Life
- A Place at the Table: A Catholic Recommitment to Overcome Poverty and to Respect the Dignity of All God's Children
A Pastoral Reflection of the U.S. Catholic Bishops - Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching
- Primer on Poverty, an Option for the Poor, and the Common Good
- Primer on Labor in Catholic Social Thought
- 2013 Labor Day Statement
- Reflections on Poverty in America
Reports
- The Deficit "Super Committee" and Protecting the Poor at Home and Abroad
- USCCB Report on the Debt Ceiling Debate
Marriage & Unemployment Resources
- When Unemployment Hits Home: Seven Ways to Help Your Marriage
- How the Financial Downturn Affects Marriage
- Living Simply: A Lasting and Fulfilling Way of Life
Articles
- Pope Francis and Economic Inequality: Five Essential Quotes, by Bishop Robert McElroy. Also available in Spanish.
- What Can I Do? Three Steps to Reduce Income Disparities, by Fr. James Martin. Also available in Spanish.
- Income Inequality, Labor Unions and a Call to Vigilance, by Fr. Clete Kiley. Also available in Spanish.
- If McDonald's Can't See How To Live on Minimum Wage, Who Can?, by Molly Fleming-Pierre. Also available in Spanish.
Advocate
USCCB Legislative Action Center
Bishops letter to the Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction (the “Supercommittee”)
Government Resources
- US Census Bureau 2010 Poverty Report
- Full Report
- Official Press Release (Executive Summary)
- State and Local Poverty Statistics Summary -
Local Poverty Data from the American Community Survey
- Enter a location on in the search bar on the right
- Click on the "Narrative Profile" to download a summary of the statistics - National Monthly Unemployment Report